South Carolina · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Florence County, SC

The median household in Florence County, SC earns $58,305 a year ($4,859/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,117/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $44,680 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 13.2% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$58,305$4,859 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,117HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)86.8-13.2% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate15.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential SC
Census Population137,117Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Florence County, SC

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Affordable (< 30% of income)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,117Monthly market rent
Share of gross income23%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$44,680To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,458At 30% of $58,305
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Florence County, SC

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Florence, SC HUD Metro FMR Area. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Florence County, SC
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$948$11,376$37,92019.5%
1-Bedroom Apartment$953$11,436$38,12019.6%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,117$13,404$44,68023%
3-Bedroom Home$1,434$17,208$57,36029.5%
4-Bedroom Home$1,588$19,056$63,52032.7%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Florence County, SC →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Florence County, SC

Based on the local median household income of $58,305/year ($4,859/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,429/moRent ($1,117 2-BR), utilities (~$140/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,458/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 86.8 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$972/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in South Carolina

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and South Carolina state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$58,305
$20,000$120,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$58,305
Net 81%
Fed 8%
SC 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$47,478After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,956Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,826Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,817 / yr
South Carolina state income tax$1,550 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,460 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across South Carolina with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Florence County, SC

What is the median household income in Florence County, SC?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Florence County, SC is $58,305 per year (approximately $4,859 per month).

What is the average rent in Florence County, SC?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Florence County, SC are $948 for a studio, $953 for 1 bedroom, $1,117 for 2 bedrooms, $1,434 for 3 bedrooms, and $1,588 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Florence County, SC compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Florence County, SC is 86.8 (13.2% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Florence County, SC?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,117/month) in Florence County, SC requires a minimum gross household income of $44,680 per year ($3,723 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Florence County, SC?

For a typical household earning the median income of $58,305/year ($4,859/month) in Florence County, SC, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,429/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,458/month to discretionary spending, and $972/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Florence County, SC?

Residential electricity rates in South Carolina average 15.6¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $140 per month.